Sports Medicine

 

Achilles Tendonitis

The Achilles tendon is formed by the combination of the two calf muscles: the gastrocnemius and the soleus. It is also the largest and strongest tendon in your body. Tendonitis is a condition characterized by inflammation to a tendon. Achilles tendonitis typically occurs with overuse of the tendon, increases in activity, and repetitive strain on the tendon.

On the back of your foot or leg, you may feel:

• Pain
• Swelling
• Discomfort 
• Stiffness

It is very common in those who engage in sports, athletes, and those who work on their feet. If you have equinus, you may be more prone to developing tendonitis. You may also be predisposed given your age, foot structure, activity level, medical conditions, and medications you are taking.

Diagnosis typically starts with a thorough clinical evaluation and standard X-rays. Advanced imaging studies such as an MRI scan are sometimes recommended to better understand the severity of your condition.

It is important to have this treated, as it can become progressively worsen and make you predisposed to having tendinosis (degeneration of the tendon) or an Achilles Rupture. 

 

Achilles Tendon Rupture (Tear)

The Achilles tendon is formed by the combination of the two calf muscles: the gastrocnemius and the soleus. It is also the largest and strongest tendon in your body. When you have an abrupt increase of stress on your tendon that exceeds its capacity, it can cause a partial or complete rupture (tear) of the tendon.

This often happens during quick, strenuous activities that place excessive strain on your tendon such as pickleball sports, football, sudden steps or falls. One of the classic feelings that patients experience is like something bit them on the back of the leg or they were kicked in the calf at the time of injury. You may also recall a popping or snapping sensation at the back of your leg.

Patients will typically experience the following:

• Pain
• Discomfort
• Inability to walk normally
• Inability to perform activities
• Incapacity to flex their foot downwards to the floor

Diagnosis typically starts with a thorough clinical evaluation and standard X-rays. Clinical evaluation can provide a strong suspicion that there has been a tear of your tendon. An MRI scan may be recommended to get a better appreciation for the extent of your tear. After, your specialist will be able to review your condition and present you options to get you back on your feet.

 

Ankle Sprains

The ankle joint consists of numerous ligaments on the inside and the outside of your ankle that support and help the ankle joint function. An ankle sprain typically occurs when your twist or roll your ankle. Common ways this can occur is during activities such as basketball sports, falls, activities on uneven surfaces, and falls.

This places strain on these ligaments that are helping to stabilize your joint. Most of the time, the injury occurs on the outside part of the ankle and involves one or more of the three primary ligaments that are responsible for stabilization. The severity of your sprain typically determines a strain, partial tear, full tear involving 1 or more of these ligaments.

You may experience the following symptoms:

• Pain
• Dysfunction
• Swelling
• Tenderness
• Bruising
• A popping sensation

Left untreated, this can lead to recurrent sprains, arthritis, and chronic instability.

Diagnosis starts with a thorough clinical evaluation and X-rays of the ankle. Your specialist may recommend advanced imaging studies such as MRI, CT or ultrasound to determine the extent of your injury. It is essential to evaluate whether any other pathology is present (such as an OCD). It is important to not delay treatment so come see our specialists today for a proper evaluation and a recommended treatment plan.

 

Ankle Fractures

A fracture is a break in one of your bones. Fractures can be described as partial or complete. They can also be further described as non-displaced (good alignment between the bones), minimally displaced (mild shift between the bones) or displaced (bones out of alignment). The ankle joint is comprised of 3 primary bones: the tibia, the fibula, and the talus. An ankle fracture typically refers to a break in the one or more of these bones.

There are numerous types of ankle fractures you could have including avulsion fractures, fibular fractures, bimalleolar fractures, trimalleolar fractures and pilon fractures. It is vital to have proper evaluation of your injury. Location and severity of the fracture(s) has a significant impact on the type of treatment that is best for you. It is important to understand that not all ankle fractures are the same!

If you suffered a fracture, you may be experiencing the following signs and symptoms:

• Significant pain
• Discomfort
• Swelling
• Bruising
• Deformity
• Inability to walk

This can stem from direct trauma (car accidents etc.), trips, falls, a rolled ankle on uneven surfaces or from sports. We encourage you to seek evaluation and treatment as soon as possible. Left untreated, this can lead to severe arthritis, soft tissue damage, nerve or vessel damage, infection (with open fractures), compartment syndrome, malunion, nonunion, and persistent dysfunction.

Evaluation typically starts with ankle X-rays and clinical evaluation. Depending on the severity, advanced imaging studies such as a CT scan may be recommended. Your specialist will then recommend an optimal treatment course.

The type, location, and severity of the fracture will dictate whether conservative (splinting, casting, fracture boot etc.) or surgical measures are recommended. If surgery is recommended to you, we want you to know that our priority is your health and educating you on all the pros and cons. Our physicians specialize in both internal and external fixation for ankle fractures. Our specialists may even be able to fix your fracture utilizing minimally invasive techniques!

Regardless of the type of intervention, our goal is to reduce your pain, heal your fracture appropriately, and get your back to the activity you want as soon as possible. We understand that this is a difficult decision, and we are here to help. 

 Experience Matters – Contact our podiatry team for expert diagnosis and personalized treatment plans for your foot and ankle concerns.

Baseball Injuries

Whether you are a competitive player or playing for fun, baseball can cause numerous types of injuries and problems for your feet and ankles.

Common baseball injuries and related foot health issues include:

• Ankle Sprains
• Fractures
• Achilles Tendonitiis
• Achilles Rupture
• Bunions
• Hammertoes
• Neuromas
• Fungal Nails
• Athletes Foot
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Ingrown Nails

Ensure your feet and ankles are in good hands. Contact our foot and ankle specialists for top-tier care and treatment.

 

Basketball Injuries

Whether you are a competitive player or playing for fun, basketball can cause numerous types of injuries and problems for your feet and ankles.

Common basketball associated injuries and foot issues include:

• Ankle sprains
• Chronic Ankle Instability
• Ankle Fractures
• Osteochondritis Dissecans
• Stress Fractures
• Achilles Tendonitiis
• Achilles Rupture
• Jones Fractures
• Fungal Nails
• Athletes Foot
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Ingrown Nails

It is important see a Foot and Ankle Specialist as soon as possible for proper evaluation and treatment of your condition.

 

Chronic Ankle Instability

Have you had a significant sprain of your ankle or are experiencing recurrent ankle sprains? You could be experiencing the side effects of chronic ankle instability. This is a condition that occurs after you have typically had repetitive ankle sprains. When your previous sprains have not healed appropriately, the ligaments remain weakened and damaged. This can cause further sprains and damage to occur.

Patients who have chronic ankle instability may feel:

• Persistent pain
• Discomfort
• Swelling
• Trouble with uneven surfaces
• Instability or weakness in the ankle
• Repetitive ankle sprains

A precise history and thorough clinical evaluation is extremely important during your visit. Advanced imaging studies such as MRI may be recommended to assess the severity of your condition or whether any other damage is present. After, your specialist will be able to review your condition and present you with options to get you back on your feet.

Innovative Treatments for Optimal Results – Contact our foot and ankle clinic now to explore advanced options for your injury or condition.

 

Golf Injuries

Golf injuries are common in the state of Florida. Although golf does not have the constant, sudden, and strenuous movements seen in other sports such as basketball, there are numerous injuries and conditions that can affect your feet and ankles.

Common golf related injuries or conditions include:

• Achilles Tendonitiis
• Achilles Rupture
• Ankle Sprains
• Chronic Ankle Instability
• Stress Fractures
• Jones Fractures
• Hallux Limitus/Rigidus
• Fungal Nails
• Athletes Foot
• Plantar fasciitis
• Ingrown Nails

Don’t ignore your foot and ankle symptoms. Get in touch with our specialists for a complete evaluation and targeted therapy.

 

Football Injuries

Whether you are a competitive player or playing for fun, football can cause numerous types of injuries and problems for your feet and ankles. The strenuous activity and increased risk of direct trauma can have a significant effect on your feet and ankles.

Some common Football injuries or conditions include:

• Achilles Tendonitiis
• Achilles Rupture
• Ankle Sprains
• Chronic Ankle Instability
• Ankle Fractures
• Osteochondritis Dissecans
• Stress Fractures
• Jones Fractures
• Fungal Nails
• Athletes Foot
• Plantar fasciitis
• Ingrown Nails

Don’t let foot and ankle pain hold you back. Contact a specialist today for a thorough evaluation and step towards recovery.

 

Pickleball Injuries

Pickelball injuries are common in the state of Florida. The majority of the time, you are making quick, sudden movements that can result in numerous injuries and conditions to your feet and ankles.

Some common pickleball injuries or conditions include:

• Achilles Tendonitiis
• Achilles Rupture
• Ankle Sprains
• Chronic Ankle Instability
• Ankle Fractures
• Stress Fractures
• Jones Fractures
• Fungal Nails
• Athletes Foot
• Plantar fasciitis
• Ingrown Nails

Experience Matters – Contact our podiatry team for expert diagnosis and personalized treatment plans for your foot and ankle concerns.

 

Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar Fasciitis is a common condition causing heel pain due to inflammation in the foot’s fascial tissue, often from micro stress and small tears. Symptoms include sharp or burning pain, especially when first walking after waking. Certain foot types are more susceptible to developing Plantar Fasciitis such as:

• Flat Feet – A condition where the arch of the foot is significantly lower than usual, causing various symptoms and discomfort.
• High-Arched Feet -This is a common condition that often goes unnoticed. Arched feet may seem harmless, but they can lead to various issues and discomfort.

Symptoms of plantar fasciitis include:

Heel or arch pain after standing or walking, worsening pain during physical activities like running or climbing stairs, painful throbbing in the heel after exercise, and swelling near the heel.

Achieve Lasting Relief – Make the call to our foot and ankle specialists and say goodbye to pain with treatments designed for long-term success.

Regenerative Medicine

Regenerative medicine is a newly advanced field of medicine that involves “process of replacing, engineering or regenerating human cells, tissues or organs to restore or establish normal function.”

This has allowed us to refine existing treatment regimens and offer patients new and potentially better avenues to heal. The potential to heal damaged tissues and structures with this technology provides hope for people suffering from a wide range of foot and ankle conditions.

Talk to use today about how we utilize this cutting edge technology in our practice!

 

Soccer Injuries

Whether you are a competitive player or playing for fun, soccer can cause numerous types of injuries and problems for your feet and ankles.

Some common soccer related injuries include:

• Achilles Tendonitiis
• Achilles Rupture
• Ankle Sprains
• Chronic Ankle Instability
• Ankle Fractures
• Stress Fractures
• Jones Fractures
• Fungal Nails
• Athletes Foot
• Plantar fasciitis
• Ingrown Nails

Elite Care for Athletes and Active Individuals – If you’re sidelined by a foot or ankle injury, reach out to our specialists for top-tier evaluation and treatment.

 

Shin Splints

Shin splints is a condition that involves inflammation and straining of the muscle on the front of your legs. While this can often occur on both legs, you may experience symptoms worse on one side.

Common symptoms associated with shin splints injury include:

• Pain
• Swelling
• Inability to perform activity

There are different reasons as to why you may have developed this condition such equinus, flat feet, overexertion, and activity. It is important see a Foot and Ankle Specialist as soon as possible for proper evaluation and treatment of your condition. 

 

Stress Fractures

Stress fractures are very small breaks in your bone typically caused by repetitive force and strain. This is often seen in cases of overuse and overexertion. When you consider that your foot and ankle carry the entire weight of your body, it is easy to see why stress fractures most commonly occur in the foot and ankle. Other medical conditions such as osteoporosis may also make you more susceptible to this condition.

• Symptoms generally include pain that worsens with time and typically made worse with activity.

Evaluation starts with ankle X-rays and clinical evaluation. Depending on the severity of your pain, advanced imaging studies such as a CT scan or MRI may be recommended. Stress fractures typically become prevalent on X- rays about 2 weeks after initial injury, which makes advanced images studies extremely use for a definitive diagnosis.

If you had X-rays obtained elsewhere that were negative and are still in pain, this could be a reason why. Most patients will typically get better with conservative treatment measures, but it is imperative not to delay your treatment and see a Foot and Ankle Specialist as soon as possible for proper evaluation and treatment. 

 

Tennis Injuries

Tennis injuries are common in the state of Florida. The majority of the time, you are making quick, sudden movements that can result in numerous injuries and conditions to your feet and ankles.

Some common tennis related injuries or conditions include:

• Achilles Tendonitiis
• Achilles Rupture
• Ankle Sprains
• Chronic Ankle Instability
• Ankle Fractures
• Stress Fractures
• Jones Fractures
• Fungal Nails
• Athletes Foot
• Plantar fasciitis
• Ingrown Nails

Customized Care at Your Fingertips – Reach out to us for a comprehensive evaluation and targeted treatments for your specific foot or ankle condition.

 

Volleyball Injuries

Whether you are a competitive player or playing for fun, volleyball can cause numerous types of injuries and problems for your feet and ankles.

Some common volleyball injuries include: 

• Achilles Tendonitiis
• Achilles Rupture
• Ankle Sprains
• Chronic Ankle Instability
• Ankle Fractures
• Stress Fractures
• Jones Fractures
• Fungal Nails
• Athletes Foot
• Plantar fasciitis
• Ingrown Nails

Don’t Wait for the Pain to Worsen – Schedule your evaluation with a foot and ankle specialist today and take the first step towards relief!